Black Mountain School of Theology & Community
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To be a thriving, creative educational institution that counters systems of oppression and alienation through practices of co-learning and co-action for the purpose of advancing the pursuit of higher goods, the formation of durable communities, and the generation of faithful, structural change.
- Income
- $226,330
- Spending
- $150,781
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 7.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $43,750, co-president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 97% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $122,722 spent. As a nonprofit with an educational mission, our main program has focused on working with 21 church congregations in 2 separate cohorts to train them in the powerful process of theological action research, engaging over 100 congregants in our workshops. The learning process is 2 years and is aimed at helping these congregations learn to thrive. It moves them through skills of careful listening and relationship building to social analysis and community study for the purpose of helping them better connect with one another and with their community, as well as to identify keen needs in their community. We then walk them through a process of corporate discernment and into an initial action that is both an expression of their shared mission, identity, and values in service to their wider, local community. Our qualitative assessment of each congregation has reported widespread success in relationship building, community connection, and enhanced creative service.
- Along with this primary activity, we have offered regular consulting and coaching for clergy and community leaders. Part of this coaching and consulting has included site visits to each of the 21 congregations with which we have worked. Our program evaluations suggest that this has been an important and essential component for helping these institutions grow, develop, and become socially reactivated in their communities.
- Finally, we have continued to conduct leadership academies, training dozens of young adults and faith-leaders in the essential practices of community organizing, social analysis, and collaborative action for equity and justice.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.